@TheManWhoSeeks In japanese and asian culture there is a hierarchy based around time and age
"Age" as you may think it's how an older familiars is looked upon the rest of the family, This is the reason why you see in anime and manga such a big respect for his grandma of grandpa of the family, The older they are the more "respect" they deserve, , As such speaking against them is considered to be extremely rude and denying gifts from them, even if you are an outsider can be considered an insult. They are the "sage" of the family and as such you are not on the same level
Now "time" is interesting, It's based around the amount of time you've been doing something, IN japan for some reason you are considered to be more knowledgeable for being working more time than other (By the times I mean years) even if you aren't necessarily number one, This is the reason why in anime you'll see an old lady or an older dude that knows nothing, but is still the boss of the department "seniority is king", if you will. This also applies to people working on the same level, If you're new you are at the bottom of the barrel, the guy that entered a month or a year before you is your "sempai" they are above you too. This also means that speaking against them is wrong and you should never do it, You'll do as you are told. Tha also affects getting promotions, THe older and the more time working at the company the bigger the chance of getting it. And this is also why in anime you see liks asshole sempaisn attacking the mc because the are better." YOU ARE MY KOHAI, A SUBORDINATE, YOU SHOULD NOT OUT SHINE ME" This also meakes abuse of power fealy common in japan, over working, Sexual assault and things like that really do happen, BUt no one speaks out, because they are not the same, they are above you, they are worth more than you
This is just a condence way of seing it+ a bit of my opinion